CHESHIRE drew with Cornwall yesterday (Tuesday) in their second
Minor Counties Championship match of the season.

Last year's Minor Counties champions are still unbeaten this
term in the three-day format, but having dominated proceedings,
skipper Andy Hall and his team were frustrated with the result
which they shaded 11-10 points. No play because of rain on the
second day halted Cheshire's hopes of victory and Hall admitted
as much as the final day's play was a matter of going through
the motions. "It's disappointing we've not had the chance
to win the match, but the rain meant we had to get 17 wickets
on the last day, which is incredibly hard at this level,"
reflected Hall. "We needed to get early wickets, but Cornwall
batted well and we knew by lunchtime that we couldn't win the
game."

Indeed. Having seen Cheshire set an imposing 374-8 in their
first innings, Cornwall were struggling at 56-3 overnight from
the opening day. But no play gave the hosts breathing space, a
break they used to stem the flow of wickets and to post 297-7.
Karl Turner (77) and captain Tom Sharp (63) led the resistance,
while former Derbyshire off-spinner Nathan Dumelow (3-92 from
40 overs) was the pick of Cheshire's bowlers. Cheshire batted
again and declared at 134-6 from 34 overs, giving them a lead
of 211, but by then any chance of a win had vanished. Hall (20),
Danny Leech (21) and a personal best unbeaten 43 from wicketkeeper
Matthew Dawson were the highlights of Cheshire innings, until
the declaration game with just ten overs left in the day and both
captain's agreed on a draw.

"We just had a bat in our second innings and went out
there to play some shots. There was no way we were going to lose,
so we just played some shots. Matt Dawson had a good knock, but
it would have been even better if we had been in a position to
win the game," added Hall.

Cheshire's next three-day game is against Dorset, between
9-11 July at Nantwich Cricket Club. 11am start opening day.

In reply Cornwall slipped to 56-3 from 26 overs, with Tom Young
and Waterhouse both having grabbed a wicket each, with a run-out
accounting for the other wicket.

Cheshire's impressive start was all the more impressive for the
county struggled to find players before the match because of a
series of late withdrawals.

Former Derbyshire batsman Ben Spendlove was the last cry-off and
was replaced by Oxton's Simon Stokes, a batsman who has been playing
well for the Cheshire A team this season.

Stokes opened up with Leech and they put on 39 for the first wicket,
before Hall and Leech took the J W Lees-sponsored Cheshire side
past the 200-mark, giving the lower order the opportunity to push
on.

Also making his debut, Bollington's Kevin Waterhouse starred with
a quickfire 45, which included two powerful sixes.

Hyde's Daniel Berry, the third and final debutant, will get his
chance to bowl today and hopefully make a name for himself.

In reply Cornwall slipped to 56-3 from 26 overs, with Tom Young
and Waterhouse both having grabbed a wicket each, with a run-out
accounting for the other wicket.

"We're in a very strong position," said Hall. "We
batted very, very well.

"It's pleasing to get some runs myself, but the plan was
to get a big total and put Cornwall under pressure. We did that
and they struggled at the end of the day.

"Ideally we'd like bowl Cornwall out very cheaply and make
them follow on, so the morning session will be very important.

"If we can get some quick wickets then we'll have a great
chance to force the game and get the win we're looking for."

Cheshire's impressive start is all the more impressive for the
county struggled to find players before the match because of a
series of late withdrawals.

Former Derbyshire batsman Ben Spendlove was the last cry-off and
was replaced by Oxton's Simon Stokes, a batsman who has been playing
well for the Cheshire A team this season.

Stokes opened up with Leech and they put on 39 for the first wicket,
before Hall and Leech took the J W Lees-sponsored Cheshire side
past the 200-mark, giving the lower order the opportunity to push
on.

Also making his debut, Bollington's Kevin Waterhouse starred with
a quickfire 45, which included two powerful sixes.

Hyde's Daniel Berry, the third and final debutant, will get his
chance to bowl today and hopefully make a name for himself.

"I was impressed with the whole team," added Hall. "We've
made a great start and must try and build on that.

"There's still two days of cricket and we've got lots of
hard work left if we are going to win this match."

PROMISING off-spinner Daniel Berry will make his debut for
Cheshire on Sunday when the county clash with Cornwall in the
Minor Counties Championship Western Division.

Hyde youngster Berry has impressed with bat and ball for his
club in the CD Bramall Trucks Cheshire County League, as well
as having made a breakthrough into the Cheshire A team this season.

Also a useful right-handed batsman, teenager Berry has also
gained many admirers at Old Trafford having won a scholarship
to the Lancashire Academy this term.

Berry is joined in the team by fellow club players Tom Young
and James Duffy, while there are three players in the side from
Oulton Park and four from Bramhall.

Kevin Waterhouse, from Bollington, completes the squad and
will also make his three-day debut having been selected, but been
unavailable for the opening game of the season.

"We've got a lot of players missing, but we're taking
a strong team with us to Truro," said skipper Andy Hall.

The JW Lees-sponsored Cheshire side dominated their opening
match of the season at home to Berkshire, but had to settle for
a draw at Chester Boughton Hall despite some starring performances
from the skipper and fellow centurions Duffy and Nick Cantello,
as well as all-rounder Nathan Dumelow.

Understandably, Hall would like to get a win on the board as
the county try and make a successful defence of the Western Division
title.

Hall added: "You've just got to win as many games as possible
to take the pressure off yourselves. This division is so tight
you can't really afford to lose matches.

"We're missing experienced players like Dave Pennett and
Jason Whittaker, but players such as Danny [Berry] and Kevin [Waterhouse]
deserve their chance. They've proven that they can perform at
club level, so I hope they can raise their games to Minor Counties
level."

Indeed, and with two raw talents in their team, Hall is delighted
former Derbyshire ace Ben Spendlove is available having missed
out on the Berkshire showdown.